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The Rhine

Following Europe's Greatest River from Amsterdam to the Alps
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( 809 ratings, 111 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Rhine traces one of Europe's greatest rivers from its mouth in the Netherlands to its source in the icy Alps. Ben Coates combines travelogue with offbeat history as he cycles along the river, exploring how the Rhine shaped European culture and history. From the social democratic Netherlands to the industrial heartlands of Germany and France, and the mountain territories of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Coates reveals the river's influence on the continent and its peoples.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to travellers, history enthusiasts, and readers fascinated by European culture and geography. Ideal for those who enjoy a thoughtful blend of adventure and historical insight.

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Ben Coates, author of Why the Dutch are Different, cycles the Rhine river from mouth to source, discovering the mark it makes on Europe.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE STANFORD DOLMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Rhine is one of the world's greatest rivers. Once forming the outer frontier of the Roman Empire, it flows 800 miles from the social democratic playground of the Netherlands, through the industrial and political powerhouses of Germany and France, to the wealthy mountain fortresses of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

For five years, Ben Coates lived alongside a major channel of the river in Rotterdam, crossing it daily, swimming and sailing in its tributaries. In The Rhine, he sets out by bicycle from the Netherlands where it enters the North Sea, following it through Germany, France and Liechtenstein, to its source in the icy Alps. He explores the impact that the Rhine has had on European culture and history and finds out how influences have flowed along and across the river, shaping the people who live alongside it.

Blending travelogue and offbeat history, The Rhine tells the fascinating story of how a great river helped shape a continent.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Among the finest multi-destination books is The Rhine – a captivating blend of travel and history. Coates’s curiosity uncovers the ways the river shaped the destinies of those living on its banks, with history shimmering across his journey. Praised as a standout travelogue and historical account, the book has been featured in the Scotsman’s Books of the Year and lauded by Compass and Smithsonian Magazine.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781473665095

Publisher: John Murray Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 216g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Ben Coates was born in Britain in 1982, lives in Rotterdam with his Dutch wife, and now works for an international charity. During his career he has been a political advisor, corporate speechwriter, lobbyist and aid worker. He has written articles for numerous publications including the Guardian, Financial Times and Huffington Post. ben-coates.com

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    An essential guide to one of the world's most remarkable, and often misunderstood, cities by the author of Why the Dutch Are Different. When Ben Coates injures his leg and needs to rebuild his strength by walking, he finds himself presented with an exciting opportunityβ€”to rediscover the city he has been working in for over a decade, at a slower...
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